School Transport Checker
Working out if your child can get free school transport can be confusing. This tool helps families of children with special educational needs and disabilities check if they may qualify. It looks at things such as the nearest suitable school, whether your child can walk there, how safe the route is, and when the distance rules don’t apply.
Check your eligibility
Use the shortest walkable route (roads, footpaths, cycleways) available all year. Not straight-line.
This is about your child’s needs, not preference. The council checks if a nearer school could meet needs.
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Results
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Distance threshold used
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Walking distance
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Reasons you may be eligible
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Reasons you may be not eligible
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What to do next
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Frequently Asked Questions.
What does “nearest suitable school” actually mean?
It means the closest school to your home that could meet your child’s special educational needs and had a place available. If a nearer school could meet needs but was full, the council must look at the next one that could actually take your child.
Does this mean the council can name any school they think is suitable?
Not really, no. The nearest suitable school should be one that can genuinely meet your child’s needs as set out in their EHCP.
What are the statutory walking distances?
Under 8 years: over 2 miles.
8 years and over: over 3 miles.
My child’s school is over the distance. Are we automatically eligible?
Only if your child attends the nearest suitable school with a place. If a closer school could meet needs and had a place, the distance rule will not apply for the school you chose.
What if a closer school could meet needs but had no place?
Then your child’s school is treated as the nearest suitable school with a place. The distance rule can apply if you are over 2 or 3 miles depending on age.
My child cannot reasonably walk because of SEND or mobility. What then?
If walking is not reasonable even with an adult, the council should provide transport support. Be ready to share medical and professional evidence.
A parent or carer has a disability that prevents accompanying the child. Does that help?
Yes. The council can provide support within the statutory distance. Explain how the disability prevents accompaniment and share any evidence.
Does the school need to be named in Section I of the EHCP?
This checker assumes you are checking a school that is or will be named. Naming alone does not guarantee transport. The same tests still apply: nearest suitable with a place, distance, safety and ability to walk.
Other Tools for Parents
Simple tools and calculators to help parents track deadlines and show the impact of missed education.
EHCP Deadline Tracker
Keep on top of the 20-week process and key deadlines.
Calculate EHCP Deadlines
Missed School Days Tracker
Calculate how many days your child hasn’t received an education.
Calculate Missed School Days
Reduced Timetable Tracker
Track how many days your child has lost out on education because of a reduced timetable.
Calculate Time Lost
Not just Oliver
Many children across Hertfordshire are still waiting for suitable education. If this is your family, you are not alone.
Use our quick tool to show how long your child has been without education and what their situation looks like in numbers.
Nothing is stored, everything is created safely on your device.
- Local Authority
- Your child's situation (no place, unsuitable, etc.)
- The date their education stopped
10/06/2025 - 06/11/2025
149
DAYS WAITING FOR A SCHOOL PLACE